Hurt my knee... again. Possible to fix itself?

manlymatt83

Lifer
Oct 14, 2005
10,051
44
91
About 5 years ago, I had surgery on my knee. I forget what for, but I know it was arthroscopic.

About a week ago, I started noticing my knee hurting a LOT again. It's only been getting worse since then. Primarily, on the right hand side of the knee, and south of the knee cap, it hurts, especially as I extend it (and I feel popping going on as I extend it - maybe 5 or 6 times).

Should I give it a few weeks to resolve, or should I get it checked out?
 

spidey07

No Lifer
Aug 4, 2000
65,469
5
76
Pain means inflammation, inflammation means something is wrong. The longer you wait the higher the probability you need your leg amputated. You don't want that do you?
 

FoBoT

No Lifer
Apr 30, 2001
63,083
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fobot.com
popping knees are not the kind of thing that fixes itself
if you have insurance, then get it checked out
otherwise, check craigslist for a cheap wheelchair and stop walking
 

surfsatwerk

Lifer
Mar 6, 2008
10,110
5
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Especially with a history of problems, you would be foolish to put off seeking a medical opinion about your knee.
 

Bignate603

Lifer
Sep 5, 2000
13,897
1
0
How much would it cost you to get it checked out? If you have decent insurance with a cheap copay then you have no reason not to just go get looked at.
 

destrekor

Lifer
Nov 18, 2005
28,799
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right hand side of what knee?
knees are mirrored. Right hand side of right knee = left hand side of left knee.
;)

Not that this helps me help you, but it might help others. :)
Is it the same area the knee had hurt prior to surgery?
 

manlymatt83

Lifer
Oct 14, 2005
10,051
44
91
right hand side of what knee?
knees are mirrored. Right hand side of right knee = left hand side of left knee.
;)

Not that this helps me help you, but it might help others. :)
Is it the same area the knee had hurt prior to surgery?


Yes, same area, same knee =(
 

spidey07

No Lifer
Aug 4, 2000
65,469
5
76
right hand side of what knee?
knees are mirrored. Right hand side of right knee = left hand side of left knee.
;)

Not that this helps me help you, but it might help others. :)
Is it the same area the knee had hurt prior to surgery?

Sounds like damaged ACL/MCL, and they don't fix themselves and if you don't do something about it the damage only gets worse, quickly.
 

SludgeFactory

Platinum Member
Sep 14, 2001
2,969
2
81
Likely is cartilage damage (meniscus). That's probably what your first surgery was about, being that it was arthroscopic. Popping and clicking is part of the deal. Bad meniscus tears can actually cause your knee to lock up at a certain point as you're going through the range of motion.

Whether it's worthy of going and getting surgery, who knows. The conservative approach would be to RICE it for a few days, take it easy in general for 2-3 weeks, stay away from sports for longer than that, and gradually resume normal activities. If it balloons back up and intense pain returns, then I guess you have your answer.

Whatever you're doing to tear up your knees, stop it. You have a finite amount of cartilage in your meniscus, and most of it doesn't heal that great, surgery or not.
 

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
74,535
913
126
WTF is a MCL?

Medial Collateral Ligament, it is one of four ligaments that act to stabilize the knee. ACL is the Anterior Cruciate Ligament. These two are the most common inuries people suffer in knee injuries, especially in athletes.

And knees don't fix themselves. Unfortunately, surgery is only a temporary fix. Once you screw up your knees you pretty much deal with it for the rest of your life.

Being overweight definitely contributes to increased wear on your knees so if you are overweight I would recommend a lifestyle change to get down to your ideal weight for your body type.

I'm not a doctor, but I did work for a company that manufactures knee braces for 6 years.
 
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BoomerD

No Lifer
Feb 26, 2006
64,513
12,873
136
Will it fix itself? Maybe...depends on what's wrong.

"popping" in knees is USUALLY just a ligament, and that can hurt by itself, BUT it can also signal something more serious. When I tore my medial meniscus, the tear would catch on the opposing femur and lock up...then, when it let go, it did so with a LOUD "POP." (hurt like a mofo too)
After the surgeon repaired the torn ACL and meniscus, my knee made lots of odd "popping" sounds. The ortho told me not to worry about some noise, that it was fairly normal.

So, again, the answer to "Will it heal itself?" really all depends on what's wrong. IMO. with a history of knee problems, a doctor visit in in order.